When Will A Homicide Rise To The Level Of First-Degree Murder?

There are many circumstances that can lead to a homicide. Some homicide crimes include manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. However, in New York, first-degree murder is the most serious homicide crime a person could be charged with.

The elements of first-degree murder in New York

First-degree murder involves several elements. First, the accused must intend to kill someone. Second, the accused must actually cause the death of the person they intended to kill or a third person. The accused must be at least 18-years-old. Finally, one of several aggravating factors must be present. The following are some of those factors, but keep in mind this list is not all-inclusive:

• The deceased’s identity (for example, if the deceased was a police officer);
• The circumstances surrounding the crime (for example, while committing a specific felony); or
• The nature of the killing

Take first-degree murder charges seriously

This post is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice When you are facing serious criminal charges such as murder, you will want to make sure you have a strong advocate by your side. Not everyone wants to work with a public defender, and instead will choose to hire a private attorney to defend them in their case. A criminal defense attorney who has prior experience as a prosecutor understands how the prosecution will approach a case, thus allowing them to craft a personalized defense on behalf of their client.

In the end, serious criminal charges can be intimidating, so it is good to know that there are people who will work to protect your future and freedom. Our firm’s website provides more information on how attorneys can assist those facing criminal charges.